NZPT Season 1 News

A 26-year-old software developer from New Zealand has NZD$209,000 after winning the NZPT Main Event in Auckland.

Simon Watt from New Zealand, defeated a field of 263 poker players to claim the top prize in a tournament that lasted five days.

The showdown was between Watt and Qualifier Gerome Guitteau from France.

Guitteau moved it all in with Kc-7c but found himself in a race against Watt's 5h-5c. The flop of Qh-6d-Js kept the Kiwi ahead, but the almost scripted sweat came when the dealer produced the 9d on the turn. Needing any king or 10 to double through, a repeat Jc fell on the river, eliminating Guitteau in second place.

The fives held up and confirmed Watt as the 2009 Main Event champion. He takes home the championship trophy and a payout of NZD$209,000 while runner-up Guitteau takes home NZD $ 142,020.

Final Table of Auckland set for dramatic showdown – posted 10.17.09

Lightening fast eliminations struck Day 3 as a massive 19 players were eliminated within the first two levels. Players continued to hit rails and the final table was decided in just under four hours.

Heading to the final table in pole position is Gerome Guitteau from France with a monster stack of 1,204,000 – almost double that of Jason Brown, currently in second on 709,000, and who has made solid plays throughout the tournament.

Assadour Assadourian was critically short stacked, but back to back double ups against Shilton Smith enabled him to make the final nine with 231,000.

Join us back here today for the final table of NZPT Auckland where players are guaranteed a minimum payout of NZD$14,000.

The bubble bursts on Day 2 of NZPT Auckland – posted 10.16.2009

Day 2 was one of high emotions as players entered the money at NZPT Auckland. From the starting field of 130, 98 players hit the rails with the remaining 32 returning for Day 3 with a guaranteed payout of at least NZD $5,523.

A new chip leader emerged today after eight hours of tight play in the form of New Zealander Jason Brown. Brown stands on 632,000 with fellow countryman Simon Watt hot on his heels with 430,500.

Defending Champion Daniel Craker could well be on the way to become the first player to win a Main Event in two consecutive seasons as he returns to see Day 3 and starts in 12th place on 131,500.

A father-son showdown is also not out of the question as both Australia Eric Assadourian and his father Assadour Assadourian take their seats for Day 3 with 94,500 and 69,000 respectively.

Unfortunately, every tournament must have a bubble boy, and NZPT Auckland is no exception. The bubble boy at Auckland was a huge favorite to win with KQ against K4 but alas, running cards gave our chip leader Jason Brown from New Zealand a straight to the 7 to eliminate the unlucky player.

Play tomorrow will continue until we are down to our final table of nine players. The draw for the last 32 is attached.

The action was fast and furious today with the starting number of 18 reduced to our winner in less than 8 hours.

Congratulations to Danny Chevalier from Melbourne Australia for being crowned the inaugural Queenstown champion. The Queenstown championship was very special for Danny given he lived in Queenstown for eleven years.

Overnight chip leader and Queenstown local John Guthrie continued his dominance early as we broke to our final table in only two hours. He took with him 888k, just on 35% of the chips in play, however his dominance faded on the final table and he ended up 6th. Former Queenstown major David Bradford also made the final table to finish in 9th place.

A very exciting day's play here on Day 2 where we saw the starting field of 92 reduced to 18 (in the money).

Tony Hachem kept his 100% cash record going for the NZPT tour to just make the top 18 as one of the short stacks - four consecutive cashes is a mean feat in a tour with fields of up to 493 players.

However, the story of the day belonged to local businessman John Guthrie who is the huge chip leader with 683,500, over 27% of the chips. John made the bubble very cruel for the young Australian Tim Clarke by cracking his Aces after the chips went all in on a Jack high flop. John had J 10 for top on the flop - alas for Tim a second jack was dealt on the river.

Tony Hachem in the top 18 while also prominent is former Queenstown mayor David Bradford who is 3rd in chips - seat draw and chip counts are here.

Play continues tomorrow from 12.30pm New Zealand time when we will play down to our winner.

NZPT Queenstown: Prize pool tops 300k as field of 92 battle it out for cash – posted 07.23.09

The final field reached 134 players today with the fourth and final Day 1 flights. Payout is to the top 18 places.

Flight 4 had its share of excitement. We have a runaway chip leader after today's event - Julius Colman, who holds over 114k, 47k more than the next highest chip stack. Julius is prominent on the overall points leaderboard in 22nd place and making the money here will catapult him into the top five.

A total of 25 of the 38 players progressed through to Day 2 making in total 92 players who will play Friday.

Tomorrow's format involves two flights of 45 and 46 respectively at 12.10pm and 3pm. Seat draw information can be found here.

Players in each flight will play for approx 2.5 hours and then all players will combine at 6pm for the first time here at Queenstown. Play is expected to continue until we reach the money - the last 18.